GG in German stands for “Grosses Gewächs,” which translates to “great growth” or “great plant” in English. In the context of wine, it refers to wines made from Grosse Lage or Grand cru vineyards. These vineyards are recognized as the highest quality and most prestigious vineyard sites in Germany.
Unlike in France, where the term Grand cru is legally defined and regulated, the term GG does not have any official standing within German wine law. Instead, it is a designation used by members of the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter (VDP), which is an association of around 200 top-quality German wine estates.
The VDP is known for its strict quality standards and commitment to producing wines of exceptional quality and typicity. The GG designation is used by VDP members to indicate that a wine comes from a Grosse Lage vineyard and has been produced according to the VDP's rigorous quality criteria.
To qualify as a GG, a wine must come from a vineyard classified as Grosse Lage, which is the highest vineyard classification in the VDP's hierarchy. These vineyards are carefully selected based on their unique terroir and their ability to consistently produce wines of exceptional quality. They are often located on steep slopes with optimal exposure to the sun, which helps to ripen the grapes fully and develop complex flavors.
In addition to the vineyard classification, there are also certain winemaking requirements that must be met in order for a wine to be labeled as a GG. These include hand-harvesting of the grapes, gentle pressing of the juice, and careful fermentation and aging in large oak barrels or stainless steel tanks. The aim is to allow the character of the vineyard and the grape variety to shine through, without excessive influence from winemaking techniques.
The GG designation is intended to provide consumers with a guarantee of quality and origin. It is a way for VDP members to differentiate their wines from others on the market and to highlight the unique qualities of their vineyard sites. The GG wines are often considered to be the flagship wines of VDP estates, representing the pinnacle of quality and craftsmanship.
Personally, I have had the pleasure of tasting several GG wines from different regions in Germany, and they have always been impressive. These wines tend to have a great depth of flavor, with a beautiful balance between fruit, acidity, and minerality. They often exhibit complex aromas and flavors, with the ability to age gracefully over time.
GG in German stands for “Grosses Gewächs” and refers to wines made from Grosse Lage or Grand cru vineyards. It is a designation used by members of the VDP to indicate wines of exceptional quality and origin. The GG wines are the flagship wines of VDP estates and represent the pinnacle of German winemaking.